Via a catheter, ALZET® Osmotic Pumps can deliver substances into vessels, spinal cord, cerebral ventricles and brain parenchyma, and other organs or tissues. DURECT Corporation offers a range of specialized catheters, compatible with ALZET pumps, to enable targeted delivery to a variety of sites. ALZET pumps can be attached to catheter tubing with I.D ranging from 0.58 mm to 0.76 mm (0.023″-0.030″).
Polyethylene (PE) and Vinyl Tubing
Medical grade PE and Vinyl tubing, the most common catheter types used in laboratory animal research, are available individually packaged, and ready to use.
Features
- Ethylene-oxide sterilized
- Medical grade
- Pre-cut to 15 cm lengths
- Individually packaged
- Ready to use
- Fit all pump models
PE and Vinyl Tubing Specifications
ALZET Specialized Catheters
These catheters are specifically designed for use with any ALZET pump model, with the distal end customized for a specific target (intravenous, intrathecal, intraperitoneal) and animal species (mouse and rat). These catheters incorporate useful features, such as retention beads or suture patches to facilitate placement and stabilization in a vessel or tissue. For added convenience, they are available ETO sterilized and individually packaged. Click here for information about compatibility of ALZET specialized catheters with various solutions/vehicles.
Rat Jugular Catheter

Order No.: 0007710
Catheter Material: Silicone
Specifications:
15.24 cm (6″) of silicone catheter (0.94 OD; 0.51 mm ID) with a silicone suture patch and ALZET connection (1.19 mm OD; 0.61 mm ID). (Internal catheter volume is ~32-36 μl).
Optimum Animal Size:
250+ grams (for <250 gram rats, cut tip to size for proper placement)
Features & Benefits:
- Silicone patch facilitates anchoring to tissue
- Silicone material is very flexible and less traumatic to vessels
- Bevel tip if desired for easier insertion into vessels
- ETO sterilized
Rat Femoral Catheter

Order No.: 0007720
Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)
Specifications:
20.32 cm (8″) of Polyurethane catheter (1.02 mm OD; 0.61 mm ID); designed for intravenous cannulation. (Internal catheter volume is ~59 μl).
Optimum Animal Size:
Up to 300+ grams (for <175 gram rats, cut tip to size for proper placement)
Features & Benefits:
- Retention beads at 3.81, 5.08, and 7.62 cm from the tip facilitate anchoring to tissue
- Medical grade polyurethane softens at body temperature
- Fits directly to pump (no step-up needed)
Rat Femoral Catheter (Tapered)

Order No.: 0007730 (custom order)
Catheter Material: Opaque Polyurethane
Specifications:
20.32 cm (8″) of tapered radio-opaque polyurethane (1.40 mm to 0.99 mm OD; 0.61 mm constant ID); designed for intravenous cannulation. (Internal catheter volume is ~59 μl).
Optimum Animal Size:
Up to 300+ grams (for <175 gram rats, cut tip to size for proper placement)
Features & Benefits:
- Retention beads at 3.81, 5.08, and 7.62 cm from the tip facilitate anchoring to tissue
- Medical grade, tapered polyurethane minimizes kinking
- Radio-opaque material and smooth surface minimize clotting
- Lumen maintains consistent ID, so that the catheter can be shortened without compromising its tight fit onto pump
Rat Intrathecal Catheter

Order No.: 0007740
Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)
Specifications:
10 cm of 28G PU (0.36 mm OD; 0.18 mm ID) connected to 12.7 cm PU (0.84 mm OD; 0.36 mm ID) and ALZET connection (1.02 mm OD; 0.61 mm ID) with Teflon coated stylet wire. Total catheter length is 23.7 cm (9.33″). (Internal catheter volume is ~20 μl).
Optimum Animal Size:
Up to 300+ grams (cut distal end to desired length for proper placement)
Features & Benefits:
- Designed for occipital insertion
- Includes a Teflon coated stylet for easier placement
- Protected tubing junction minimizes kinking at exit point from intrathecal space
Rat Intrathecal Catheter (Short)

Order No.: 0007741
Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)
Specifications:
10 cm of 28G PU (0.36 mm OD; 0.18 mm ID) connected to 4.0 cm PU (0.84 mm OD; 0.36 mm ID) and ALZET connection (1.02 mm OD; 0.61 mm ID) with Teflon coated stylet wire. Total catheter length is 15.0 cm (5.90″). (Internal catheter volume is ~10-11 μl).
Optimum Animal Size:
Up to 300+ grams (cut distal end to desired length for proper placement)
Features & Benefits:
- Shorter length for lumbar insertion
- Includes a Teflon coated stylet for easier placement
- Protected tubing junction minimizes kinking at exit point from intrathecal space
Rat Intraperitoneal Catheter

Order No.: 0007770
Catheter Material: Silicone and Polyurethane (PU)
Specifications:
5.0 cm of Silicone (0.94 mm OD; 0.51 mm ID) connected to 3.0 cm PU (1.02 mm OD; 0.61 mm ID). Fenestrations over first 1.5 cm Silicone tip. Total catheter length is 8.0 cm. (Internal catheter volume is ~19 μl).
Applications:
- Peritoneal/Gastric delivery
- Peritoneal delivery via subcutaneous pump
- Easier pump replacement
- Use larger SC pump for IP delivery in small rats
Features & Benefits:
- Fenestrations over Silicone tip for greater drug distribution
- Movable suture bead for optimum adjustment of inserted catheter section
- Flexible Silicone section minimizes tissue trauma
- Polyurethane section provides optimum fit to all ALZET pump models; can be cut to desired length
- Stress relief catheter junction prevents kinking and improves patency
Mouse Jugular Catheter

Order No.: 0007700
Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)
Specifications:
13mm of 28G PU (0.36 mm OD; 0.18 mm ID) connected to 63.5 mm PU (0.84 mm OD; 0.36 mm ID) and ALZET connection (1.02 mm OD; 0.61 mm ID). Total catheter length is 8.8 cm (3.46″). (Internal catheter volume is ~10 μl).
Optimum Animal Size:
30+ grams (insertion marks for adaptation to smaller animals)
Features & Benefits:
- Retention beads at 13 and 38 mm from the tip facilitate anchoring to tissue
- Catheter tip optimum for use with other small vessels (e.g., femoral, carotid, etc.)
- Marked at 9 and 11 mm to simplify adaptation for <25 and 25-30 gram animals respectively
Mouse Jugular Catheter (Adjustable Length)

Order No.: 0007701
Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)
Specifications:
13mm of 28G PU (0.36 mm OD; 0.18 mm ID) connected to 25.4 mm PU (0.84 mm OD; 0.36 mm ID) connected to a 50 mm ALZET connection (1.02 mm OD; 0.61 mm ID). Total catheter length is 8.8 cm (3.46″). (Internal catheter volume is ~18 μl).
Optimum Animal Size:
30+ grams (insertion marks for adaptation to smaller animals)
Features & Benefits:
- ALZET connection can be trimmed to achieve smaller lengths
- Catheter tip optimum for use with other small vessels (e.g., femoral, carotid, etc.)
- Retention beads at 13 and 35 mm from the tip facilitate anchoring to tissue
- Marked at 9 and 11 mm to simplify adaptation for <25 and 25-30 gram animals respectively
Mouse Jugular Catheter (Adjustable Length-Large Tip)

Order No.: 0007702
Catheter Material: Polyurethane (PU)
Specifications:
44.5 mm of 20G PU (0.84 mm OD; 0.36 mm ID) connected to a 50 mm ALZET connection (1.02 mm OD; 0.61 mm ID). Total catheter length is 9.5 cm (3.74″). (Internal catheter volume is ~20 μl).
Optimum Animal Size:
30+ grams (insertion marks for adaptation to smaller animals)
Features & Benefits:
- ALZET connection can be trimmed to achieve smaller lengths
- Catheter tip optimum for jugular cannulation
- Retention beads at 13 and 35 mm from the tip facilitate anchoring to tissue
- Marked at 9 and 11 mm to simplify adaptation for <25 and 25-30 gram animals respectively
Mouse Intrathecal Catheter

Order No.: 0007743
Catheter Material: Polyurethane
Specifications:
2.5 cm 32G (0.23 mm OD; 0.09 mm ID) connected to 1 cm (0.86 mm OD; 0.38 mm ID), connected to a 2.5 cm (1.02 mm OD; 0.61 mm ID) ALZET connection with Teflon coated stylet wire. Total catheter length is 6 cm (2.36″). (Internal catheter volume is ~8.6 μl).
Optimum Animal Size:
Adult mouse
Features & Benefits:
- Distal end can be trimmed
- Includes a Teflon coated stylet for easier placement
Mouse Intraperitoneal Catheter

Order No.: 0007771
Catheter Material: Silicone and Polyurethane (PU)
Specifications:
3.0 cm of Silicone tubing (0.94 mm OD; 0.51 mm ID) connected to 3 cm PU tubing (1.02 mm OD; 0.61 mm ID) ALZET connection. Fenestrations over Silicone tip. Total catheter length is 6 cm (2.36″). (Internal catheter volume is ~15 μl).
Optimum Animal Size:
Adult mouse
Features & Benefits:
- Fenestrations over Silicone tip for greater drug distribution
- Movable suture bead for optimum adjustment of inserted catheter section
- Flexible Silicone catheter minimizes trauma
- Polyurethane ALZET connection for easy attachment to ALZET pump
- Stress relief catheter junction prevents catheter kinking and improves patency
- Distal end can be trimmed to desired length
Catheter Applications with ALZET Osmotic Pumps
- Direct delivery of test agents into any target tissue or organ
- Delay delivery of test agents to allow for a surgical recovery period
- Infuse for a shorter period using a longer duration pump
- Infuse a smaller volume of solution
- Create a time-patterned delivery of an agent
Note: No catheter is necessary when systemic delivery is desired. This is accomplished by subcutaneous or intraperitoneal implantation of an ALZET pump without a catheter.
Common Routes of Administration Requiring Use of a Catheter
- Articular cavity
- Blood vessels
- Bone
- Brain (solid tissue)
- Brain (ventricles)
- Ear
- Eye
- Muscle
- Nerves
- Spinal cord
- Stomach
- Tumors
*All specialized catheters are supplied ETO sterilized